Mayon, the country’s most active volcano, has been spewing ash, lava, and pyroclastic material since January 13, displacing close to 40,000 residents in the central province of Albay.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised its alert on Mayon to level 4 as they warned citizens to prepare for an eruption.
Mt Mayon rained ash on communities nearby which have been evacuated and a danger zone has been extended to 8km (5 miles) around the volcano.
The eruption on Monday sent a huge ash column of ash high above Mt Mayon which has darkened the skies.
Phivolcs agency chief Renato Solidum said: “We strongly advise all people, both residents and tourists, to avoid the danger zone, and airlines to avoid flying near the volcano summit.”
The danger zone around the 2,462-metre (8,077-foot) volcano has been expanded to a radius of 8 km (5 miles), he added.
Dr Solidum said the agency had recorded increased seismic activity and “lava fountaining and a summit explosion” from Sunday night, indicating more explosions ahead, including a hazardous eruption.
A level 5 alert signifies a hazardous eruption is underway.
Will the Mayon volcano erupt today?
Phivolcs raised the alert level to 4 today in a move which suggests a hazardous eruption is imminent and could happen at any time – today included.
The warning was upped from level 3, which indicates such an eruption could be “weeks or even days” away.
Evacuations have already been carried out for more than 30,000 people near the volcano’s slopes and experts suggest the order is extended to cover an even wider base around the volcano.
However Albay province, where the volcano is located, has run out of emergency funds and more people would be evacuated once government financial help arrived, according to provincial governor Al Francis Bichara.
He ordered schools to suspend classes, amid ash fall warnings following the explosion at the volcano.
Governor Bichara added: “In some areas…it’s already zero visibility, especially along the foot of the volcano.
“People have to stay home and if they intend to get out of their houses, they have to wear masks.”